New Delhi: The 2014 FIFA World Cup commenced on Thursday night amidst lot of fanfare with Brazil securing a 3-1 win over Croatia in the opening game. However, the opening game also witnessed the first controversy of the football’s biggest spectacle as striker Fred’s deliberate dive in the Croatian penalty box earned the hosts a penalty, which Neymar converted to give them a crucial 2-1 lead at 71st minute of the game.

Fred went tumbling down after the slightest of touch by Croatian defender Dejan Lovren but it was good enough to convince Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura to award a penalty kick. The controversial referee also gave a yellow card to the Southampton defender.

The controversial decision by the referee tuned out to be the pivotal moment in the game as both the teams were tied 1-1 till that point but once Neymar converted the penalty to complete his brace, Brazil went on to win the game with Man of the Match Oscar scoring a third goal in the extra minutes of the game.

The football fans on Twitter did not take Fred’s theatrics too well, slamming him for simulation and unfair play.

The Twitteratis did not even spare the Japanese referee and accused him of favouring the host team.

“I am honestly still mad at Fred and the ref in today's game. Bad start to the World Cup,” wrote a football fan with the Twitter handle Tristan ‏@FYB707.

“Still can't believe how easily Fred went down last night!! #Cheat,” said another footie fan with the Twitter handle ⚽️George⚽️ ‏@Georgeswfcsmith.

Another Twitter user Michael Caley wrote: “Looked like Fred leaned back, found Lovren wasn't behind him, started falling... and threw his arms up like he'd been shot. Turrible.”

Meanwhile, Croatian coach Niko Kovac warned on Thursday that the World Cup could become a ‘circus’ after the Japanese referee awarded a soft penalty to the hosts in the opening game of the tournament.